Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin rolls over after getting fouled by a Philadelphia 76er during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons celebrates after making a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin reacts after being called for a foul call against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

LOS ANGELES — Austin Rivers didn’t want to hear about injuries or new faces in new situations on the court. He didn’t want to hear about excuses, even if they might have been valid reasons for the Clippers’ sixth consecutive defeat, a 109-105 loss Monday to the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center.

The Clippers’ frustration was difficult to ignore after they rallied from a 14-point deficit in the first half, but couldn’t hold a six-point advantage in the closing minutes. Their momentum and their confidence faded again when it mattered most and the game was on the line.

Lou Williams scored 15 of his team-leading 31 points in the fourth quarter, when the Clippers led 94-88 and later by 100-95, and seemed poised to take control down the stretch. Blake Griffin scored 16 of his 29 points in the second quarter, when the Clippers fought back from a 44-30 deficit.

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The Clippers couldn’t handle Joel Embiid or Robert Covington, however. Embiid led the 76ers with 32 points and 16 rebounds, fouling out DeAndre Jordan and Willie Reed in the process. Covington added 31 points on 9-for-12 shooting, hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with 33 seconds left.

The 76ers’ 103-101 lead seemed precarious, but they nursed it and maintained it.

Former Clippers guard J.J. Redick scored 10 points in his Staples Center homecoming, including a 3-pointer that cut the 76ers’ deficit to 100-98 with 2:01 left. Austin Rivers later blamed himself for a defensive coverage breakdown that left Redick open.

“We should be winning some of these games,” Austin Rivers said. “I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t have a reason. We just lost. Win. We have to win. Ain’t got time to pout. We’ve got to get on this road trip. It only takes one. We’ve got to get one to get the spirit back up.

“Tonight should have been it.”

Instead, the Clippers added their loss to the 76ers to defeats to the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies, a skid that’s angered them and frustrated them as it has continued.

“We’ve just got to get this one ‘W’ so we can get back to feeling good again,” Austin Rivers said. “One (expletive) win. We’re making it difficult on ourselves right now. It’s always tough when you’re in a slump. You start second-guessing your (expletive).

“That’s why I say if we just get one win.”

Griffin pleaded for patience, particularly since Patrick Beverley (knee), Danilo Gallinari (glute) and Milos Teodosic (foot) were sidelined by injuries. Beverley missed his third game, Gallinari his fourth and Teodosic his 11th. Those three are among nine new players on the roster.

“It’s a long season,” Griffin said when asked how the Clippers could escape their funk. “We’ve got a lot of games to play. We’re banged up. Just keep pushing, that’s really it. There’s no magic formula. We have to play harder. We have to play better. But, yeah, we just have to keep playing.”

After a day of rest and recovery Tuesday, the Clippers (5-8) are scheduled to practice Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for a five-game trip that begins Friday against the Cavaliers in Cleveland. It’s another test, another opportunity to cure what ails them.

The Cavaliers (7-7) aren’t exactly lighting up the league, either.

Misery loves company?

“We’re playing a team that’s trying to figure their (expletive) out, too,” Austin Rivers said.

He didn’t smile.

“We’ve just got to be better,” he added. “Defensively. Offensively. We’ve just got to be better all around. Winning games in the NBA is hard. That’s what we were talking about before the game. Don’t ever expect winning to be easy. We’ve got to understand that.

“We’ve got to understand that we have to give a 48-minute effort. It’s not, like, a big surprise.”

Griffin said he didn’t like the Clippers’ start. Or their play down the stretch. He was scoreless in the fourth quarter, missing all four shots he attempted. Two of his shots were airballs. Williams carried the Clippers in the final period, making six of eight shots.

“I thought we fought,” Griffin said. “We got down early. We were bad early. Didn’t execute. Didn’t do anything we talked about and then we got it going, got back in the game, got up, a six-point lead, and then I didn’t like how we defended over the last however long it was.”

Elliott Teaford covers the Clippers and the NBA for the Southern California News Group. He has written about hockey for the past five years and is looking forward to thawing out after so many days and nights sitting in frozen rinks. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and '10. He once made a jump shot over future Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton during a pickup game in 1980 at Cypress College.

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